Egypt's trade with Nile Basin countries grows to $3B in 2023
The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) has released its annual report detailing trade exchanges between Egypt and Nile Basin countries in 2023. The report examines the total trade volume, encompassing exports and imports, with nations including Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea, and South Sudan.
Egypt’s exports to Nile Basin countries reached $1.73 billion in 2023, marking a 2.1% increase from $1.70 billion in 2022. Meanwhile, imports from these countries declined by 7.1%, totaling $1.29 billion in 2023 compared to $1.38 billion in 2022.
Sudan remained Egypt’s largest export market in the region, with goods valued at $989 million in 2023, up from $954.3 million in 2022—a 3.6% increase. The primary exports to Sudan included milling products, sugar, and confectionery.
Kenya ranked as the second-largest export destination, receiving $327.3 million in 2023, a decrease from $356.4 million in 2022, reflecting an 8.2% decline. Key products exported to Kenya included sugar, paper and its derivatives, and iron and steel.
On the import side, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the top source of goods, supplying $532.1 million in 2023, slightly up from $530.2 million in 2022, an increase of 0.4%. Imports from the Congo primarily consisted of copper and its products, wood, and charcoal.
Sudan was the second-largest source of imports for Egypt, providing $388.2 million worth of goods in 2023, a sharp decline from $505.4 million in 2022, representing a 23.2% drop. Key imports from Sudan included live animals and cotton.
In terms of product categories, animal and plant products, beverages, and tobacco dominated Egypt’s exports, recording a significant 71.9% growth. The value of exports in this sector surged to $697.1 million in 2023 from $405.5 million in 2022. The same category also led imports, although it saw a decrease of 7.6%, with imports valued at $623.6 million in 2023 compared to $675.1 million in 2022.